Kiefer Sutherland spent approximately two hours in police custody today after surrendering to authorities for his role in what’s being called a "drunken head-butting incident."
The 42-year-old 24 star arrived at Manhattan’s First Precinct at 4:05 p.m. Entering the Tribeca NYC police station flanked by his lawyer, he was dressed in overcoat and wore a light blue button-down oxford shirt and blue jeans. He said nothing as he arrived amidst the teeming the media horde.
About two hours later, at 6 p.m., Kiefer emerged from the police station and waved remaining mum.
It’s expected to be officially announced soon that Kiefer was charged with third-degree misdemeanor assault. He technically received a “desk appearance” ticket – known as a “DATS” and is expected to appear at a hearing in a month’s time.
While he was charged, the misdemeanor count means he will not be jailed and can travel before his arraignment.
The charge was the result of Kiefer head-butting fashion designer Jack McCollough at a party earlier this week. Multiple witnesses said he was intoxicated while chatting up Brooke Shields at the bar at the SubMercer nightspot late Monday night after the Met fashion gala.
An NYPD source revealed: "While the third-degree misdemeanor assault charge is minor, Kiefer still had to go through a ‘booking’ process inside the precinct house. That’s why he was in there for two hours. He was questioned first and then the booking took place. Since he was with his attorney and had agreed to surrender in advance. He would have been fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken — that’s standard operating procedure on any charge.
"The fingerprints are sent into the computer system, up to Albany, to make sure there’s no match on any outstanding warrants. The NYPD has to do this and treat him as they would any other person.
"The mugshot is also taken, but it’s policy here in New York that the mugshot is not released to the media. In a bigger crime, if the person is taken into custody, and there’s public interest, they are usually ‘walked’ in front of the media so photogs can take pics of the perp in handcuffs.
"But that’s not the case here. Kiefer got off without any major embarrassment."
UPDATE 06:50 PM EDT:
At 6:45 p.m., the NYPD source confirmed: "While one celebrity website reported that Kiefer was placed in handcuffs inside the precinct, he was not! He was, however, frisked – which is a routine check for weapons, and as stated earlier, he was fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken.
"A little holdup occurred in checking the fingerprints via computer from Albany, keeping him inside for a little extra time, but it came back clean.
"A date’s been set for his next appearance in June."
